Ratio Test Research Articles

Predictive value of sFlt, PIGF versus sFlt/PIGF ratio test in patients at risk of preeclampsia

Predictive value of sFlt, PIGF versus sFlt/PIGF ratio test in patients at risk of preeclampsia

Parasympathetic nervous system changes after the menopause: A comparative study

Background: Autonomic nervous system control is a major determinant in various cardiovascular diseases. Onset of menopause in women results in increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. Early assessment of the changes in autonomic activity after menopause can help reduce the prevalence of cardiovascular mortality in women. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study is to compare the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system activity in age-matched pre- and postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the physiology department of Government Medical College, Amritsar. Two groups of 40 women each were enrolled in the study. We enrolled pre-menopausal women in Group I and post-menopausal women in Group II. Parasympathetic nervous system assessment was done using 30:15 ratio, standing: lying ratio (S: L ratio), Valsalva ratio, and deep breathing test (DBT). Statistical analysis of the collected data was done using student t-test. Results: Parasympathetic functions tests did not reveal any significant change in the mean 30:15 ratio, S: L ratio, Valsalva ratio, and the mean value for DBT (P > 0.05). Conclusion: No significant variation in parasympathetic activity between the pre-menopausal and post-menopausal groups was observed.

Asociación entre índices antropométricos y presencia de apnea obstructiva del sueño en adultos

Antecedentes: La apnea obstructiva del sueño (AOS) es un trastorno del sueño altamente prevalente producido por una obstrucción anatómica o neuromuscular de la vía aérea superior. Propósito: Identificar la asociación entre los índices antropométricos: circunferencia de cuello (CC), perímetro abdominal e índice de masa corporal (IMC), con la presencia de AOS en adultos. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo de casos y controles en 353 individuos entre 18 y 82 años de edad con diagnóstico polisomnográfico de AOS. Se correlacionó el índice apnea hipoapnea con los índices antropométricos y los datos demográficos. El grupo control estuvo conformado por 105 adultos sin AOS y el de estudio por 248 pacientes con diagnóstico de AOS. Para determinar la asociación entre las variables se utilizaron las pruebas de Chi cuadrado de Pearson y odds ratio. Resultados Se encontró una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre el IMC y la CC, que estaban aumentados con la presencia de AOS en adultos. La presencia de AOS fue mayor en mujeres y hombres entre 56 y 82 años. Conclusiones: Las medidas antropométricas IMC y CC son factores de riesgo de AOS en adultos.

Predictive value of serum uric acid on new-onset cholelithiasis (a report of 97 469 cases)

Objective To explore the predictive value of serum uric acid on new-onset cholelithiasis. Methods The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The data of 97 469 subjects who participated health examination at the Kailuan General Hospital Affiliated to the North China University of Science and Technology, Kailuan Linxi Hospital, Kailuan Zhaogezhuang Hospital, Kailuan Tangjiazhuang Hospital, Kailuan Fan′gezhuang Hospital, Kailuan Lyujiatuo Hospital, Kailuan Jinggezhuang Hospital, Kailuan Linnancang Hospital, Kailuan Qianjiaying Hospital, Kailuan Majiagou Hospital and Kailuan Branch Hospital from June 2006 to December 2015 were collected. Epidemiological investigation, anthropometric parameters and biochemical indicators were collected. All the subjects were allocated into 4 groups according to squartiles of serum uric acid: 24 140 with serum uric acid <232 μmol/L in the Q1 group, 24 473 with 232 μmol/L≤ serum uric acid <282 μmol/L in the Q2 group, 24 382 with 282 μmol/L≤ serum uric acid <338 μmol/L in the Q3 group and 24 474 with serum uric acid ≥338 μmol/L in the Q4 group. Observation indicators: (1) comparisons of clinical characteristics among the 4 groups; (2) incidence of cholelithiasis in the 4 groups; (3) effects of serum uric acid on the new-onset cholelithiasis: ① the dose-response relationship between serum uric acid and the risk of cholelithiasis, ② comparisons of the fitting degree of serum uric acid on the cholelithiasis model, ③ effects of different serum uric acid levels on incidence of cholelithiasis after stratification by sex, ④ serum uric acid of different gender on the boxplots, ⑤ effects of different serum uric acid levels on the incidence of cholelithiasis after stratification by age. Measurement data with normal distribution were expressed as ±s, and comparisons among groups were analyzed using the one-way ANOVA. Measurement data with skewed distribution is expressed by M (Q), and comparisons among groups were analyzed using the nonparametric Krustal-willis test. Count data were represented by percentage, and comparisons among groups were analyzed using chi-square test. The incidences of cholethiasis in 4 groups of different serum uric acid were calculated by person-year incidence. Restrictive cubic spline regression was used to calculate the dose-response relation between the continuous variable and the risks of new-onset cholelithiasis and 95% confidence interval (CI). COX regression model was used to analyze the hazard ratio (HR) and 95%CI of different serum uric acid levels on new-onset cholelithiasis. Likelihood ratio test and akaike information criterion (AIC) were used to calculate the fitting degree of serum uric acid on new-onset cholelithiasis model. Boxplots were used to describe serum uric acid in different genders. Results (1) comparisons of clinical characteristics among the 4 groups: sex (male), age, body mass index (BMI), systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high sensitive C-reactive protein, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, drinking and physical exercise were 15 162, (50±11)years, (24±3)kg/m2, (123±21)mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), (82±12)mmHg, (5.6±2.0)mmol/L, (4.8±1.2)mmol/L, 1.14 mmol/L (range, 0.81-1.63 mmol/L), 0.70 mmol/L (range, 0.23-2.23 mmol/L), 2 537, 9 415, 4 575, 2 380, 2 649 in the Q1 group, 19 079, (51±12)years, (25±3)kg/m2, (130±21)mmHg, (83±12)mmHg, (5.5±1.7)mmol/L, (4.9±1.2)mmol/L, 1.20 mmol/L (range, 0.86-1.76 mmol/L), 0.71 mmol/L (range, 0.28-1.98 mmol/L), 2 287, 10 124, 6 918, 3 649, 3 288 in the Q2 group, 21 132, (52±13)years, (25±3)kg/m2, (132±21)mmHg, (84±12)mmHg, (5.5±1.6)mmol/L, (5.0±1.2)mmol/L, 1.29 mmol/L (range, 0.91-1.94 mmol/L), 0.80 mmol/L (range, 0.30-2.06 mmol/L), 2 027, 10 755, 8 259, 4 730, 3 958 in the Q3 group, 22 651, (53±14)years, (26±3)kg/m2, (134±21)mmHg, (85±12)mmHg, (5.4±1.5)mmol/L, (5.1±1.2)mmol/L, 1.54 mmol/L (range, 1.05-2.35 mmol/L), 1.02 mmol/L (range, 0.43-2.50 mmol/L), 1 981, 12 082, 9 562, 6 209, 4 758 in the Q4 group, respectively, with statistically significant differences among the 4 groups (χ2=7 624.63, F=279.93, 961.91, 330.84, 271.40, 38.25, 353.18, H=3 406.30, 912.23, χ2=108.15, 590.49, 2567.07, 2 209.21, 760.15, P 0.05). In male participants, adjusted for age, BMI, TC, TG, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, drinking and physical exercise, risks of new-onset cholelithiasis in Q2, Q3 and Q4 groups were increased compared with Q1 group (HR=1.17, 1.24, 1.30, 95%CI: 1.06-1.30, 1.12-1.37, 1.18-1.44, P 0.05), however, risk of new-onset cholelithiasis was increased in the Q4 group (HR=1.15, 95%CI: 1.02-1.28, P 60 years old, adjusted for sex, BMI, TC, TG, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, drinking and physical exercise, risk of new-onset cholelithiasis in the Q2 groups was not increased compared with Q1 group (HR=1.16, 95%CI: 0.99-1.36, P>0.05), however, risks of new-onset cholelithiasis were increased in the Q3 and Q4 groups (HR=1.19, 1.21, 95%CI: 1.02-1.40, 1.04-1.41, P<0.05). Conclusion Elevated serum uric acid is an independent risk factor for the new-onset cholelithiasis. Key words: Cholelithiasis; Serum uric acid; Incidence; Risk factor

Simultaneous multivariate tests under the normality assumption

In this study, we propose several simultaneous tests for the mean vector and covariance matrix of multivariate normal data. First of all, we consider the likelihood ratio (LR) test with a limiting distribution, and estimate one using the Monte-Carlo (MC) method for the null distribution. Next, we consider a union-intersection (UI) test by identifying the LR statistic as a product of two functions of random quantities. In addition, we propose simultaneous tests with combination functions. Then, we illustrate our procedure with an example, and compare the efficiency through a simulation study. Finally, we discuss interesting features for the proposed simultaneous tests with related topics and a method for obtaining the LR statistics.

Likelihood-based tests in zero-inflated power series models

ABSTRACTWe address the issue of performing testing inference in the class of zero-inflated power series models. These models provide a straightforward way of modelling count data and have been widely used in practical situations. The likelihood ratio, Wald and score statistics provide the basis for testing the parameter of inflation of zeros in this class of models. In this paper, in addition to the well-known test statistics, we also consider the recently proposed gradient statistic. We conduct Monte Carlo simulation experiments to evaluate the finite-sample performance of these tests for testing the parameter of inflation of zeros. The numerical results show that the new gradient test we propose is more reliable in finite samples than the usual likelihood ratio, Wald and score tests. An empirical application to real data is considered for illustrative purposes.

Studies on Orally Disintegrating Tablets Prepared by Using Natural and Synthetic Superdisintegrants

The objective of present study was to compare the disintegration efficiency of mucilage isolated from Plantago ovata with commonly used synthetic superdisintegrant, croscarmellose sodium in the formulation of orally disintegrating tablets. Effects of varying concentration of both superdisintegrants on disintegration time were studied. Orally disintegrating tablets of metoclopramide hydrochloride were prepared using selected superdisintegrants by direct compression technique. Prepared tablets were evaluated for weight variation, thickness, hardness, friability, disintegration time, wetting time, water absorption ratio and dissolution test. Swelling index was also investigated for comparing the swelling property of croscarmellose sodium with mucilage of Plantago ovata. Swelling index of mucilage isolated from Plantago ovata was found to be greater (94 ± 2.5% v/v) when compared with croscarmellose sodium (85 ± 1.5% v/v). The present study indicated that mucilage isolated from natural source proved to be more effective for their disintegrating property than the most commonly used synthetic superdisintegrant, croscarmellose sodium.

Elementaristic vs. holistic approaches to dissociation of agraphia symptoms following acquired brain damage

ABSTRACTBackground: Two approaches to the explanation of dissociations of symptoms were established in the history of neuropsychology: through the structural changes and through the changes of activity form. The theoretical origins of these explanations are related to the two methodological traditions in psychology: elementaristic and holistic. In this study, the advantages of the elementaristic and the holistic approach to the explanation of dissociated neuropsychological agraphia symptoms are discussed.Aims: The goal of our study was to reveal the variability of writing disorders following sensory agraphia depending on performance in writing tasks of different types. We hypothesise that manifestations of psychological disorders in Wernicke’s agraphia vary in different types of writing tasks:1.1. We expect the dissociated symptoms of Wernicke’s agraphia to vary in tasks that actualise different culturally defined functions of writing;1.2. Tasks actualising culturally determined functions of writing would lead to specific differences of symptoms in Wernicke’s agraphia compared with the performance on traditional diagnostic tests.Methods & Procedures: The study involved 29 individuals with Wernicke’s agraphia due to left hemisphere stroke in the basin of the left middle cerebral artery. To identify agraphia symptoms, tasks traditionally applied in neuropsychological diagnostics of writing were used, representing typical cultural-historical functions of writing (communicative, mnestic, and regulatory). Analysis with the Chi-square Friedman test showed that the differences for all types of error rates were statistically significant (p = .001), which allowed the Wilcoxon test for further pairwise comparison ratios of errors in written tasks.Outcomes & Results: Two approaches to the explanation of dissociations of symptoms have been used – through structural changes (elementaristic approach) and changes of a person’s activity form (holistic approach). The advantages of the holistic approach were the most evident while analysing the significant prevalence of errors in orthography in the regulatory task compared with the task of sentence composition. These tasks did not differ in their structural components, so the elementaristic approach did not explain the resulting dissociation. The explanation of this phenomenon comes from the psychological importance of the cultural function of writing using a permissive psychological strategy.Conclusions: The holistic approach can be a valuable complement to the more widely utilised elementaristic approach. Despite the fact that a holistic approach is less common in modern clinical neuropsychology, its advantages are evident in the analysis of dissociation symptoms within the same syndrome when performing identical tasks in a set of involved neuropsychological components.

Beyond the ratio test

D'Alembert's ratio test, a very basic plank in the theory of infinite series, can be stated as follows:Suppose that an &gt; 0 for all n ≥ 1. Then: (i)if for some n0 and some ρ &lt; 1, we have for all n ≥ n0, then is convergent;(ii)if for some n0, we have for all n ≥ n0, then is divergent.

The score test for independence of two marginal Poisson variables

We propose a score test for testing independence of the marginals based on Lakshminarayana’s bivariate Poisson probability mass function. Each marginal distribution of the bivariate model is a univariate Poisson distribution, and the parameters of the bivariate distribution can be estimated using maximum likelihood methods. The simulation study shows that the score test maintains size close to the nominal level. To assess the efficiency of the derived score test, the estimated significance levels and powers of the likelihood ratio and Wald tests as well as Spearman’s rank correlation test are calculated and compared. A relevant dataset is used to illustrate the application of the bivariate Poisson model and the proposed score test for independence.

Noteworthy Professional News

POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AND THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT Postpartum depression is a medical diagnosis given to a woman within the first year after childbirth. Symptoms are very similar to depression including feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or worthlessness.1,2 These symptoms are more severe than common “baby blues” that present more mildly in nature such as tearfulness, frequent worrying, and tiredness. Postpartum depression affects approximately 20% of mothers3 and is estimated to be much higher in those women with a child in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).4 There are suggestions that women should be assessed for postpartum depression at time points other than their postpartum follow-up appointments with their obstetrician, including in the emergency department with a fussy child younger than 1 year.1,2 Often when the infant is medically cleared, it is the mother who needs medical attention. Although a NICU is the primary unit caring for ill and premature infants, it is the exact place where additional assessing and services for postpartum depression could occur. When the exciting day for that child to be discharged home from the NICU presents itself, it is imperative that we evaluate the entire home situation prior to discharge.3 Many times, NICU staff may not feel that they can control the environment these infants experience when going home. Examining that a mother's health is adequate to take on newborn care tasks and dealing with extensive, medically challenging situations is necessary to safeguard a child's initial entrance to home life. What is your NICU doing today to identify mothers who may present with symptoms of postpartum depression while visiting their infant? Is there sufficient skilled staffing support to add this responsibility within the NICU setting? A topic to consider when the goal is to send infants into the arms of competent and self-sufficient families. STABLE MICROBUBBLE TEST USING ORAL FLUID SAMPLES TO IDENTIFY RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME For decades, as technology and medicine have allowed premature infants to live beyond the NICU walls, the desire to predict the immaturity of lung development has also increased. Since the late 1900s, tests such as the stable microbubble test have been proposed, analyzed, and tested to be a sensitive and specific predictor for respiratory immaturity in infants from amniotic samples taken during an amniocentesis.5,6 Since this time, the use of the stable microbubble test has been an underutilized prenatal laboratory test result in the United States for pregnancies anticipated to end prematurely compared with the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio test. Not all premature deliveries are expected, not every healthcare facility may have the technology to conduct a lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio test, and for those women, with little to no prenatal care, what is the best way to determine the risk for respiratory distress syndrome when an amniocentesis is no longer an option? Recently, research has shown that the use of the stable microbubble test performed as well as other samples types (ie, amniotic or gastric) in predicting respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants.7 In 64 patients born less than 34 weeks of gestation, a minimum of 0.2 mL of oral secretions was collected by the obstetrician in the delivery room. Test results were available within 5 minutes and at a low cost8 to assist in assessing whether a premature infant needed surfactant. A small microbubble test result less than 25 small microbubble (SM)/mm2 demonstrated a sensitivity of 81.4% and specificity of 85.7% on oral secretion samples in being able to predict surfactant deficiency.8 As a result, the stable microbubble test may be a bedside test to consider for any delivering hospital facility at the time of a premature birth when other sample types or tests are not available.

A Speckle Filtering Method Based on Hypothesis Testing for Time-Series SAR Images

To improve the suppression effect for the speckle noise of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images and the ability of spatiotemporal information preservation of the filtered image without losing the spatial resolution, a novel multitemporal filtering method based on hypothesis testing is proposed in this paper. A framework of a two-step similarity measure strategy is adopted to further enhance the filtering results. Firstly, bi-date analysis using a two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test is conducted in step 1 to extract homogeneous patches for 3-D patch stacks generation. Subsequently, the similarity between patch stacks is compared by a sliding time-series likelihood ratio (STSLR) test algorithm in step 2, which utilizes the multi-dimensional data structure of the stacks to improve the accuracy of unchanged pixels detection. Finally, the filtered values are obtained by averaging the similar pixels in time-series. The experimental results and analysis of two multitemporal datasets acquired by TerraSAR-X show that the proposed method outperforms the other typical methods with regard to the overall filtering effect, especially in terms of the consistency between the filtered images and the original ones. Furthermore, the performance of the proposed method is also discussed by analyzing the results from step 1 and step 2.

A Validated High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatographic Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Zofenopril Calcium and Hydrochlorothiazide in the Presence of the Hydrochlorothiazide Impurities: Chlorothiazide and Salamide.

The chromatographic analysis of either process-related impurities or degradation products is very important in the pharmaceutical industry. In this work, a simple, selective, and sensitive HPTLC method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of zofenopril calcium (ZOF) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) in the presence of the HCT impurities: A) chlorothiazide (CT) and B) salamide, in raw materials and in pharmaceutical formulation. The separation was carried out on HPTLC silica gel 60 F254 using ethyl acetate-glacial acetic acid-triethylamine (10 + 0.1 + 0.1, v/v/v) as a developing system. The separated bands were scanned densitometrically at 270 nm. Polynomial equations were used for the regression. Calibration curves were constructed for ZOF, HCT, CT, and salamide in the ranges of 0.5-10, 0.2-4, 0.05-1.4, and 0.05-1.0 μg/band, respectively. Different parameters affecting the suggested method, including developing systems of varying composition/ratios and different detection wavelengths, were studied to achieve the best resolution and precision with good sensitivity. System suitability parameters were also tested. The proposed method was validated as per the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines and was successfully applied for the quantification of the studied drugs in their pharmaceutical formulation, with no interference from excipients observed. The results obtained by the developed HPTLC method were compared statistically with those obtained by the reported HPLC method using Student's t and F ratio tests, and no significant difference was obtained, indicating the ability of the proposed method to be used for routine analysis of drug product.

Landscape composition mediates movement and habitat selection in bobcats (Lynx rufus): implications for conservation planning

ContextThe analysis of individual movement choices can be used to better understand population-level resource selection and inform management.ObjectivesWe investigated movements and habitat selection of 13 bobcats in Vermont, USA, under the assumption individuals makes choices based upon their current location. Results were used to identify “movement-defined” corridors.MethodsWe used GPS-collars and GIS to estimate bobcat movement paths, and extracted statistics on land cover proportions, topography, fine-scale vegetation, roads, and streams within “used” and “available” space surrounding each movement path. Compositional analyses were used to determine habitat preferences with respect to landcover and topography; ratio tests were used to determine if used versus available ratios for vegetation, roads, and streams differed from 1. Results were used to create travel cost maps, a primary input for corridor analysis.ResultsForested and scrub-rock land cover were most preferred for movement, while developed land cover was least preferred. Preference depended on the composition of the “available” landscape: Bobcats moved > 3 times more quickly through forest and scrub-rock habitat when these habitats were surrounded by agriculture or development than when the available buffer was similarly composed. Overall, forest edge, wetland edge and higher stream densities were selected, while deep forest core and high road densities were not selected. Landscape-scale connectivity maps differed depending on whether habitat suitability, preference, or selection informed the travel cost map.ConclusionsBoth local and landscape scale land cover characteristics affect habitat preferences and travel speed of bobcats, which in turn can inform management and conservation activities.

Similar simulation experiment of expressway tunnel in karst area

According to the actual situation of an expressway tunnel in karst area, the tunnel lining, surrounding rock, and test model were designed by a similar theory and orthogonal experiment. The similarity constants were determined from similar material design experiments. The similar mixture ratio of simulated limestone and tunnel lining was determined using uniaxial compression, triaxial and Poisson's ratio tests. Based on these tests, the structures of lining and karst cave models were designed and analyzed. The data of experimental model were acquired using pore pressure, soil pressure and displacement measuring instruments. Considering the rock joint occurrence, size of cave, cave location, precipitation, loading and other parameters, the pore water pressure, earth pressure, and displacement sensor of experimental model were analyzed under artificial rainfall and loading conditions. The results show that the development of a karst cave affects the tunnel water flow. The test results also show that the experimental model can simulate water penetration and calculate water content.

Analyses of non-benzodiazepine-induced adverse events and prognosis in elderly patients based on the Japanese adverse drug event report database

BackgroundThe contents of the guidelines for the use of non-benzodiazepines (Z-drugs) differ slightly between THE JAPANESE SOCIETY OF SLEEP RESEARCH and THE JAPAN GERIATRIC SOCIETY, and the recommended directions are conflicting. Therefore, we analyzed the use of the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database (JADER) for identifying adverse events (AEs) caused by Z-drugs and clarifying their occurrence trend and prognosis.MethodsThe signal value for comparison was calculated by using the proportional reporting ratio (PRR) and chi-squared test (χ2) results of data of elderly and non-elderly patients. Among AEs for which signals were detected in the elderly, we determined that those with lower signal values for non-elderly patients that were half the signal value of the elderly should be used with particular caution in the elderly. We also compared the prognoses.ResultsThe AEs with > 1 risk ratio (RR) in elderly and non-elderly patients were regarded as those that should be noted in the prognosis of AEs in elderly patients. Furthermore, 28 AEs were detected in elderly patients’ signals. In this study, in addition to movement disorders such as “falls” and “bone fractures,” identified by two academic societies, signal characteristics of the elderly were obtained for psychiatric disorders and eye disorders.ConclusionsThere was no difference in prognosis, but these disorders could reduce the quality of life of patients. Therefore, we consider that in prescribing appropriate drug therapy for insomnia, attention should be paid to the occurrence of the AEs caused by the Z-drugs revealed by this study and the guidelines.

Variant Design and Fabrication of an Earth Tunneling Machine

Earth tunneling machine is an equipment used in drilling tunnels under the road surface for the laying of pipes or cables. The earth tunneling machine was produced locally using available materials through simple machining and joining processes. The machine comprised major components like the driving shaft/boring head, the pulling mechanism, the sand extraction system, the control unit, the machine base and housing which were locally produced and assembled. Using the machine to drill soil samples from Ekpene Ukim- Uruan; Mbiabong – Uyo; Ikot Obiodongo – Ibesikpo; and Anua Obio - Uyo, the strength of soil samples by the California Bearing Ratio (CBT) test at drilling depths was determined to be 0.444 MPa, 0.417 MPa, 0.420 MPa, and 0.458 MPa, respectively. The test result demonstrates the performance of a functional model earth tunneling machine, thus indicating the realization of the objective of the research work.

Ratio tests under limiting normality

ABSTRACTWe propose a class of ratio tests that is applicable whenever a cumulation (of transformed) data is asymptotically normal upon appropriate normalization. The Karhunen–Loève theorem is employed to compute weighted averages. The test statistics are ratios of quadratic forms of these averages and hence scale-invariant, also called self-normalizing: The scaling parameter cancels asymptotically. Limiting distributions are obtained. Critical values and asymptotic local power functions can be calculated by standard numerical means. The ratio tests are directed against local alternatives and turn out to be almost as powerful as optimal competitors, without being plagued by nuisance parameters at the same time. Also in finite samples they perform well relative to self-normalizing competitors.

Anemia e índices de atividade de doença em mulheres com artrite reumatoide

AIMS: To evaluate disease activity indexes in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Anemic and Non-anemic, correlating with hemoglobin levels.METHODS: A cross-sectional study involved women with rheumatoid arthritis classified into two groups: 1) Anemic (hemoglobin &lt;12 g/dL) and 2) Non-anemic. Disease activity was measured by Disease Activity Index (DAS28), using different inflammatory markers: Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and C-reative Protein (CRP). This score also uses the number of swollen and painful joints and an overall assessment of the disease on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). An assessment of functional capacity by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) was also performed. The statistic used Student’s t-Test, Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon, Fisher, likelihood ratio and Spearman correlation tests. It was considered significant p &lt;0,05.RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were included, eight of Anemic group and 16 of Non-anemic. The groups were similar in terms of clinical, demographic and treatment characteristics, differing only in relation to rheumatoid factor, positive in all anemic participants and in 56,2% of non anemic participants. DAS28 ESR (median 6,05; interquartile range [IQR] 5,21-7,76), DAS28 CRP (median 4,32; IQR 3,98-5,92) and VAS (median 66,50 mm; IQR 54,75-80,50) were significantly higher in Anemic group. DAS28 ESR (-0,418) and VAS (-0,426) showed a significant negative correlation with hemoglobin level. DAS28 ESR and DAS28 CRP values were different in the same group, showing a discrepancy in the categorization of disease activity. In Anemic group, DAS28 ESR value (median 6,05; IQR 5,21-7,76) was higher in relation to DAS28 CRP (median 4,32; IQR 3,98-5,92). A less discrepant increase of DAS28 ESR (median 4,01; IQR 3,05-5,68) compared to DAS28 CRP (median 3,06; IQR 2,18-4,66) was observed in Non-anemic group.CONCLUSIONS: Anemia was associated with worse disease activity indexes in women with rheumatoid arthritis, correlated with greater pain intensity and increase of DAS28 ESR score.

The Behaviour and Performance of Geo-Textiles with Reference to CBR Value on Clay Soil

Geo-textiles are polymers of high tensile strength, and they are flexible in nature. They are widely used in a variety of engineering applications including soil reinforcement. Hence, it was necessary to make an in depth study on the use of geo-textiles and their relative advantages. This work focuses on a comparative study on the load carrying capacities using geo-textiles. A series of California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests were performed on soil reinforced with geo-textiles, placed in single and double layers at different depths. The CBR value and stress-strain results of this study provided a better understanding on the comparative changes in load carrying capacities of the soil. The information will help in better decision making in the field of soil reinforcement.